Scheduling Breaks

I've got an 8 hour gig at the end of the month, and I'm writing up the invoice. I want to make note that we will be taking breaks - under labour laws (not to copy, but as a guideline - it's been so long since I've worked a 'normal' job...haha) all I've found is that breaks are to be at least a half hour after 5 hours of work.

How do you schedule your breaks? (Assuming you take them. I know sometimes I don't, even during longer gigs, but I'd rather say I will and don't, than not schedule one in and need to take one.) I'm working with 2 other twisters, and we'll rotate our breaks - is a 20 minute for lunch and two 10-15's on either side for peeing/popping more ibuprofen (ha)! etc too much? These are paid breaks. I just want to make sure I plan out something reasonable.

I would like to see the responses to this one. I find it almost impossible to sneak in a break. I was thinking of putting a sign by the last kid I would paint before my break and getting one of those "Back in 15minutes" signs.

I'm not sure how long to take the breaks, but making a clock that says "Break time" and the time posted & then another that says "Be back at" posted time. If I didn't do this, I'd work right through the break time. You could rotate w/ your other workers so you never have an empty booth.
I think w/ teens it's a 30 min. break every 4 hours.

When I do jobs with other twisters or painters, I usually try 2 hours into a job, 4 hours, 8 hours. Around that time or a little before if there is less kids in line send them at that time would be ideal. With me that never happens though. Just send people at the scheduled time. So for the first brake would work, first person lets say 9:40, 2nd 10:00 and the 3rd 10:20 if you were doing 10 min brakes. That is giving you 10 min in between brakes so you can try to catch up the line a little bit before you send the next person. if you have a phone or a watch with multiple alarms on it to remind you a few min before someone has to go on brake so that way you don't work straight through a brake.

I make a sign with the times of my breaks and hang it clear for all to see it.

I have a festival at the end on the month that I am doing alone and if your tent is caught 'with nobody working it' you get in trouble and you will not be asked to return the next year!!! I am going to have my daughter with me at all times for that reason but boy, I am going to be so tired I tell ya!!

SuzySparkles wrote:I have a festival at the end on the month that I am doing alone and if your tent is caught 'with nobody working it' you get in trouble and you will not be asked to return the next year!!! I am going to have my daughter with me at all times for that reason but boy, I am going to be so tired I tell ya!!

I'm sorry, but they cannot expect people to not use the restroom, etc. That's just crazy.

Suzy - that is madness. Painters and twisters need bathroom breaks, too!

I'm definitely rotating breaks, so there will always be 2 people there. I hadn't thought about putting catch up time in, though - I'll keep that bit in mind and play it by ear!

I do have a sign that says "Kristal is taking a ____ minute break! Please use the time to pick your design and favourite colour(s)" that I use when I'm solo, but I don't think that's necessary when there will always be at least 2 people on.

I'm only "set" on the one main lunch break in the middle of the day - I just want to write in the possibility of bathroom breaks on either side. That way if we absolutely have to go, or the line's manageable, I won't get any flack And if the mini-breaks aren't needed/wanted/there's a massive 3 year long line, we keep twisting.

Does a 20-25 minute break, and possibly 2 X 5-10 minute breaks sound reasonable? 30-45 minutes for the whole day?

That sounds reasonable to me.

Well, this may not be an issue anymore. I HATE flaky clients. Just got an email saying the board of the festival is worried they won't make their money back, and would we be able to do PPB? They want to figure out something that pays me "the money you deserve" but also doesn't leave them in the negative.

AHHHHHHHHHHH!

I won't GET the money I deserve if you don't book me at my full rate! And I gave you a discount, so I ALREADY wasn't getting it!

I can't ask people to come work PPB with me, for a whole day, with no guarantee of what money they'll make. Esp since because they would be working out of my supplies, I'd need a % back from them. It depends on the weather, the kids, their parents. PPF and PPB are a gamble. I'd rather have a solid 2 hr birthday party, I think.

I'm angry!

When taking breaks at events what do you do to secure your kit if you're working alone?

I have it in my contract for full-day bookings which are 7 hours INCLUDING set-up and breaks. I don't break it down further. If I am working "alone" which at something that long means I would have mom with me, I will run for a toilet break if needed while she is there to watch the stuff. Generally at the longer gigs we have a second painter OR mom's aide with us so we can alternate and there is always someone painting. I don't post signs etc.

I have a very large bladder.

I really enjoyed reading through this thread for tips.

I do a paid 12 hour every 4th of July. Last year they cut back to 10---which I LOVED, hehe. I take my first break (lunch) an hour past the half-way mark, just cause then it is so much easier to be on the downslide psychologically...

There is always a second painter/volunteer who can watch my stuff. I easily close my case, grab my tips & I'm good to go.